The Importance of First Lines

 

How important are first lines in books anyway? Some say they are the most important because they are what pulls the reader into the story. Some say the first line is indicative to the writing of the rest of the book and therefore very important. And then some say you cannot judge a whole book on one sentence. So let us look at the true importance of a first line. Then I will share with you some of my most favorite first lines.

There are four main uses of a first line or ways a first line is used.

One use or way a first line is used is narrative. An author may use narrative to open the book. This is also a way to introduce the narrative. A line of narrative is a good way to introduce a character; their attitude, the way they feel about the certain situation, ect. I feel like narrative is a good way to get to know a character. Narrative gives you quick insight into the character. Narrative may not even be used to introduce a character, it may be used to introduce the scenario that the character is going through. Narrative may also be used as foreshadowing as to what will happen in the first page, first chapter, or sometimes the entire book. It may also be used as a way to set the tone of the story and that can be very important. Now, there are different ways in which you can use narrative. Really, there are only two, but they are still different and important in their own right. And those two different ways are using a statement or using a question. Most authors use a statement. Some daring authors use questions. Using a question to open your book can be a big surprise to your read. It is a way to pull them into the story and make them an active reader, make them engage in the story, versus a passive reader. Sometimes the question is not always aimed at the reader. Sometimes it is more of a philosophical question. Sometimes a question is actually aimed at or used to introduce your character and their motives. More often than not, an author will use narrative as the way they open their book.

A second way to open a book is the opposite of narrative and that is dialogue. Using dialogue to introduce your entire book can be tricky. I believe that if you are going to use dialogue you have to use it very carefully and make sure it is necessary. Using dialogue instead of narrative may throw the reader off the book completely. But at the same time, it may intrigue the reader and give them something they are not used to or expecting. If you are to use dialogue, make sure it is necessary and will still pull the reader into the story. Dialogue is a good way to set the tone  as well. Really, when you are writing a first line you want to set the tone of the story. Often the tone of a story can and does change. However, the first line should set the tone in which you want to work with immediately. Along with narrative, dialogue is a good way to introduce the character. While it may not lead you to learn about their feelings, attitude, or ambitions, it can teach you other things about the character, whether or not they are sarcastic or dry, or witty and so forth. While using dialogue as the first line can be tricky, it can also be a big payoff, so never rule it out.

The last two uses of a first line, and the most important ones, are for shock value and to pull you into the story. Now, you may say that the two go hand in hand, but not necessarily. You may say you need one for the other, but not necessarily. Using a first line for shock value may not always lead to pulling the reader into the story. They may be so shocked and revolted that they may not want to finish the story. Now, that being said, shock value can be very important. You want the reader to be caught off guard. If they are caught off guard they will more than likely want to continue reading to see if the author can keep up with their first line. This can also be tricky. Using the first line as shock value can make the reader want to continue but if the author can’t keep that shock value going or veers off into a different direction, or the story dulls right after the shocking first line, it could throw the reader off the story entirely and you do not want this.

The most important thing you want your first line to do is to pull the reader into the story. This is generally called a hook. You want your first line to grab ahold of the reader and take them into a whole other world. You want your first line to take hold of the reader and not let go until the story is completed. Of course, all authors want this, but it does not always happen. So make sure your first line is a good one, whether that is using narrative or dialogue, whether it is shocking or not so much. Make sure it is necessary to the story and stays true to the rest of the story. First lines are powerful, make them count.

Now, having said all that, I suck at writing first lines. It sometimes takes me forever to come up with a good line. And once I’ve done that, and I think it is a great first line, I’ll go back once I’ve completed the whole story and think my first line is shit, or too cliche, or dumb, or that it won’t pull the reader into the story. I have a love, hate relationship with first lines. I wish I could write better first lines. But, since I suck at them, I will share with you my favorite first lines from authors who don’t suck at them. Starting with probably my very favorite.

In a while in the ground there lived a hobbit. - The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien

It is the first day of November and so today someone will die. - The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater

What if Shakespeare had it wrong? - Just One Day, by Gayle Foremann

You stop fearing the Devil when you’re holding his hand. - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, by April Genevieve Tucholke

The thing is, all memory is fiction. - Heading Out to Wonderful, by Robert Goolrick

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. - A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four Privet Drive were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by JK Rowling

Each of these first lines provoke something in me that make me want to continue reading that story. As you see, all of them are narrative, I haven’t read many books with very strong dialogue as the first sentence. But as you all see, they are used in different ways. There is a question in there. There are powerful statements meant to shock the reader, but there are also low lying statements that do their own part to pull the reader in.

Remember, first lines are powerful and should be used as such. Use them wisely.